How does Tom Cruise stay fit at 61? Inside Mission Impossible star's high-octane lifestyle like scaling Dubai's Burj Khalifa

At 61, Cruise continues to outpace actors half his age, both physically and professionally

Last updated:
Manjusha Radhakrishnan (Entertainment Editor)
3 MIN READ
US actor Tom Cruise poses for a photo during a red carpet event for the film "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" in Seoul on May 8, 2025.
US actor Tom Cruise poses for a photo during a red carpet event for the film "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" in Seoul on May 8, 2025.
AFP-JUNG YEON-JE

Dubai: This summer belongs to the silver foxes of Hollywood. Action movies — once dominated by 20-something muscle machines — have evolved, and the genre’s new (and old) kings are just as likely to be worried about their knees as they are about nailing a fight sequence.

With Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, and Denzel Washington all fronting new releases, the return of action legends is in full swing. But leading the charge is none other than Tom Cruise.

At 61, Cruise continues to outpace actors half his age, both physically and professionally. From sprinting across rooftops to leaping off motorcycles mid-air, he’s still doing his own stunts — and doing them better than ever. With seven Mission: Impossible films (an eighth on the way), two Top Guns, and War of the Worlds under his belt, Cruise isn’t just surviving in the genre — he’s redefining it.

So, how does Tom Cruise stay fit?

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Cruise offered a glimpse into his no-excuses approach to fitness. “You know, I look at a body kind of like a car,” he said. “I work seven days a week — on movie sets, in editing rooms. I just finished one movie, and I’ve got four others lining up. That’s what we do — while we’re editing one, we’re already prepping the next.”

Cruise treats movement and training like hygiene: non-negotiable and routine. “It’s like brushing my teeth — it just takes a minute, but you have to do it. That’s how I train my body,” he explained.

“Whether it’s for dancing, stunts, or just keeping in shape, I’ve got to stay on top of it.”

But his fitness regimen isn’t confined to the gym or set. Offscreen, Cruise is an adrenaline junkie who thrives on motion.

“Flying aerobatic planes, paragliding, speed flying, jumping off mountains — all of that,” he said. “It’s not just for the movies. I genuinely love it. Gotta do it.”

He's truly the action hero's action hero. And while the results speak for themselves — lean muscle, rapid reflexes, and high-intensity endurance — it’s Cruise’s consistency and drive that truly set him apart.

He even teases a bit of fan service in his latest film: Yeah, we gave a little bit of eye candy in this one too,” he said with a grin.

For Tom Cruise, fitness isn’t just about staying in shape — it’s about staying sharp, ready, and fearless. And clearly, whatever he’s doing, it’s working.

Manjusha Radhakrishnan
Manjusha Radhakrishnan Entertainment Editor
Manjusha Radhakrishnan has been slaying entertainment news and celebrity interviews in Dubai for 18 years—and she’s just getting started. As Entertainment Editor, she covers Bollywood movie reviews, Hollywood scoops, Pakistani dramas, and world cinema. Red carpets? She’s walked them all—Europe, North America, Macau—covering IIFA (Bollywood Oscars) and Zee Cine Awards like a pro. She’s been on CNN with Becky Anderson dropping Bollywood truth bombs like Salman Khan Black Buck hunting conviction and hosted panels with directors like Bollywood’s Kabir Khan and Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. She has also covered film festivals around the globe. Oh, and did we mention she landed the cover of Xpedition Magazine as one of the UAE’s 50 most influential icons? She was also the resident Bollywood guru on Dubai TV’s Insider Arabia and Saudi TV, where she dishes out the latest scoop and celebrity news. Her interview roster reads like a dream guest list—Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Shah Rukh Khan, Robbie Williams, Sean Penn, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Morgan Freeman. From breaking celeb news to making stars spill secrets, Manjusha doesn’t just cover entertainment—she owns it while looking like a star herself.

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next